April 19, 1995 at 9:02AM: I was in the shower. I lived in Edmond, OK and was in my junior year at UCO. I was running late. I almost fell down from the jolt that the earth took. It was loud, I heard it. And my apartment was over 15 miles away.
Since no one knew what was happening at all- media was slow back then, you know, there was no twitter--thoughts were that there was an explosion at an oil refinery (not so uncommon). I went on about my business. It was after I got to campus, and into class, where a professor let us sit and watch TV (with bad reception from an antenna), that we saw and learned what little they knew then. But we could see the pictures. The video. The horrific reality. I don't know if any other professors let their students watch, but I was a journalism major. And this was obviously a very media event.
For some reason I could call with in OKC area from Edmond, but no one else in the state could get through. I got a lot of calls about what was going on and if I could reach my relatives. I know I called them to give them messages from other family. It was very strange. National media came very quickly and the whole area was like a war zone.
A friend and I went as close a they would let you in the daylight. And I even have my own photos of it. If I could have found those, I would have used them! Then Joe and I went down to the site one night to take some supplies they were requesting. I know we took a thermos of hot chocolate. Other than that, I can't remember what else. Being down there then was undescribable. And I have never been back.
In 15 years, I have never once gone back down there. No, I have never even seen the memorial in person. Maybe I should, but I've just not felt led to do so. Can't explain it...
Where were you?
MckLinky with us over at TheRHOK and tell us your story.
8 comments:
I know reading everyone's stories is going to bring back a whole lot of memories. Just writing my own had me in tears again.
What a coincidence that we were both in Edmond at that time.
Great post. I had a friend who helped get children out of the nearby Y.
The whole day was a shocker.
Oh wow -Being so close you could feel it! It was a confusing/tragic time for so many. BTW My sis went to UCO :)
I think we ought to take a field trip with our kiddos there this summer.
I've never felt the call to go either. Though I think now that my children are older, the time might be coming. Great post.
It took me 10 years to go.....wonder how many of those posts we will see! And if you notice my pic is of the gate that shows the minute before it happened- before the world was changed! It affected us HARD!
Thank goodness your cousin and aunt weren't harmed. Often, we don't realize how blessed we are.
It was a day that will stay with us forever.
my SIL & BIL were at UCO at that time as well - it was very difficult to reach them by phone - they did have to reach us, because we could not reach them by phone!!! Crazy!
What a blessing you all were to bring things that were needed to those who were working so hard!!
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